Intercountry adoption from Fiji

Program status: On hold

Australian couples cannot currently apply to adopt a child from Fiji.

Fiji acceded to the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption in April 2012. It entered into force in August 2012. Fiji put the hold in place to give it time to change its legislation to implement the convention and put in place a framework for intercountry adoption.

The central authority in Fiji is the Department of Social Welfare (DSW).

Latest news

In May 2013, our department was advised by DSW that Fiji is still in the process of amending its domestic adoption laws to put in place a framework for intercountry adoption consistent with the convention.

In May 2011, DSW advised our department that the Australia-Fiji Intercountry Adoption Program (including current and prospective applications) will remain on hold while Fiji joins the convention and works towards amending its legislation to implement convention standards.

Waiting times

Waiting times are lengthy and very few children have been placed with Australian families through the program.

Who can adopt

Fiji specifies the eligibility criteria for adoption of its children. Prospective adoptive parents must also meet their home state or territory’s eligibility requirements for intercountry adoption.

Applicants wishing to adopt through this country program must be married (no length is stipulated). Single parents, and couples in de facto or same-sex relationships, are not eligible to adopt from Fiji.

Couples must also show a good understanding and acceptance of adoption issues. Parenting a child who has been orphaned and institutionalised raises many potential challenges.

Full eligibility criteria information on adoption from Fiji is available at:

Characteristics of children in need of adoption

Most of the children in Fiji in need of intercountry adoption are older children with special needs. Some children under two years old have been allocated in the past. Children are of Fijian and Indian descent.

Travelling overseas

Both members of the couple are required to travel to Fiji to accept placement of their child. Children from the family are welcome and encouraged to accompany their parents. At least ten working days are needed to complete the adoption formalities.

Costs

The estimated Fijian adoption fees and costs are AUD$1200. This does not include travel and accommodation costs, immigration fees, Australian government fees or incidentals.

Finalisation and post-adoption

Fiji requires three quarterly post-placement reports and a court report following the adoption.

Applicants must also fulfil any post-placement reporting requirements in their home state or territory.

Immigration and citizenship

Children adopted from Fiji are unable to apply for citizenship in-country. They must travel to Australia on an Adoption (Subclass 102) visa. Adoptive parents should apply for citizenship by automatic acquisition for their child, using Form 119, after the adoption is finalised in Australia. Adoptions from Fiji are not automatically recognised on entry to Australia. An adoption order from a state or territory court is required after the post-placement supervision period to finalise the adoption.

If the incorrect form is used, the application will be refused and the application fee will not be refunded.

Statistics

Very few children have been placed with Australian families through the Fiji program. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the last adoption through the program took place in 2005–2006, and since 2000–2001, only eleven children have been adopted by Australian families.